Disappearing wall stairway



June 23, 1931. E, BESSLER 1,811,706

DISAPPEARING WALL S TAIRWAY Filed May 12, 1928 s Sheets-Shet 1 6Sheets-Sheet 2 F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed May 12.1928 June 23, 1931.

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June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER 1,811,706

DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY I Filed May 12; 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet I I l 5.w w w II/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIII/flIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII June 23,1931. F. E. BESSLER ,7

DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed May 12. 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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June 23,4931. F. E. BESSLER 1,311,706

DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed May 12. 1928 e sheets-sneak 5 INVENTOR.

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June23, 1931. F. E. /BESSLER 1,811,706

DI SAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed May 12, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 23, 1931 "UNITED STATES FRANK E. BESSLER, OF AKRON, OHIO,ASSIGNOR TO THE BESSLER DISAPPEARING PATENT OFFICE STAIRWAY COMPANY, OFAKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO I DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAYApplicationfiled May 12, 1928.

The present invention relates to movable stairways which are designed topermit access to an attic or upper floor in a dwelling house or otherbuilding, it being the b 5 ject of the presentinvention to improve uponprior constructions for the same purpose. In a house or building thereis frequently an upper room or floor to which access is necessary onlyoccasionally, but to which stairways 0 must be provided. The provisionof the additional fixed stairway for access to the occasional roomoccupies valuable floor space, and it is the object of the invention todevise a practical and operative mechanism where- 5 by the stairway willbe housed in every limited space while not in use, but can be readilyset out in position when required.

Stairways for this general purpose have been designed prior tothisinvention and e numerous improvements therein have been made hereto-foreby the present inventor. The object of the present invention is to stillfurther improve upon the general objects and purposes set forth by theperfection 5 of an entirely new type of movable stairway,

as will be more fully set forth in the detailed description of theinvention.

In prior successful constructions for the general purpose set forth, themovable stairway has been disposed, in inoperative position, but theceiling of the lower room or passageway and within the upper room. Themovable stairway has thus occupied a horizontal position and hastaken-up considerable floor space in the room or space above. It hasalso been" necessary to raise and lower the heavy movable stairway whichhas required the provision of counterweights or the equivalent thereofin order to render easy the operationof the stairway. While thedescribed prior forms of the movable stairway have been successful andare in use, the present invention is a radicaldeparture therefrom, aswill be apparent.

In, the present invention the disappearing wall stairway is housed in asmall-space or in a recess in the-wall of the lower floor and is invertical position, thereby occupying a minimum amount of space when notin use. The space or recess for the disappear- Serial N0. 277,171.

ingwall stairway is provided with a continuation which is formed in theceiling and 1s in communication therewith, so that as the stairwayrismoved to inclined position, the complete passageway to the upper levelis provided. The opening in the ceiling may be provided with a movablepanel or closure which opens asthe stairway moves into operativeposition, and the said devices may be connected for joint operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand rail or railswhich automatically move to an elevated position along the stairwaystringer to afford the banister. As

a further refinement of the invention, the dlsappearing wall stairwayand connecting parts may be motor operated, so that with a singleoperation of an electric button, the stairway can be moved in and out ofposition, together with the other adjuncts of the device. It is also anobject of the in vention to combine the stairway with door operatingmechanisms, so that as the stairway is moved outwardly the door for therecess is opened and as the stairway moves into closed position the doorwill be closed:

The invention has numerous other objects and advantages which willappear from the detailed description herein contained. 'It will beappreciated that many of the detailed mechanisms are not essential andmay be omitted or modified within the scope of the invention as definedby the prior art and'by the claims in this case. The drawings showtheperfected and preferred form of the invention so that theconstruction and operation thereof will be clear to'those skilled inthis art, changes and departures therefrom being within the scope of theinvention.

' In the drawings: r

Fig. l is a side elevation and partial section of the new disappearingwall stairway in open or operative position, 7

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the apparatus in closed or inoperativeposition;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the stair- Way, the parts in sectionbeing on the line 33 of Fig. 1; U i

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper end of the stairway in open position;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the hand rail;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view of the closure in raisedor open position on the line 88of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a section on line 99 of Fig. 1; Fig 10 is a sectionon line 10-10 of Fig. Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11' of Fig. Fig.12 is a section on line 1212 of Fig. Fig. 13 is a section through therecess'or cupboard with the stairway in closed position therein, beingtaken on the line 1313 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the lower end of the stairway showing theautomatic operating device for moving the stairway and being taken onthe line indicated at 14l4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section through the door operating mechanism bywhich the door is opened and closed in unison with the operation of thestairway;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the dog or latch;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line 1818 of Fig. 17

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic showing of the motor control switches andelectrical connections if such be incorporated in the completedstructure.

Figure 20 is a section on line 2020 of Figure 5; and

Figure 21 is a fragmentary plan along line 21-21 of Figure 5.

The complete apparatus is designed to be installed within an area formedby a wall 1 and a ceiling 2 and, for the purpose of describing theinvention, may be assumed to be placed in an upper hallway in a dwellinand to permit access to the attic, although, as made clear herein, theinvention is by no means limited to such an installation.

The wall is provided with a recess or cupboard 3 extending from thefloor and opening up through the ceiling into the room above, the recessbeing of sufficient dimensions to house the stairway in vertical orclosed position. The recess may be closed by a door 4 if desired, thisdoor extending to the ceiling and completely concealing the closedstairway. If desired, the door may be omitted in installation infactories, warehouses or dwellings and the recess may also be omitted.the stairwa bein moved back 1 1 17 against the wall in such cases.

The ceiling opening, which is in communication with the recess 3, isindicated by the numeral 5 and is lined about the stairway or right handend thereof, as shown in Figure 4, with a metal plate 6, the face ofwhich is flush with the rear wall of the recess, being secured over theopening by a flange This plate has wings 8 extending along the sides ofthe opening and secured by ears 9 to the side of the opening. The sidesof the ceiling opening are provided with rails 10 which extend from endto end thereof. The far end of the opening is provided with a frame orplate 11.

The disappearing wall stairway consists of parallel stringers 14 whichsupport the treads 15. The stairway is supported upon rollers 16 securedto-a shaft 17 in the lower ends of the stringers, the rollers beingcovered with a rubber tread 18, if desired, which tread may bevulcanized directly to the rollers. The rollers are movable over thefloor 19 and support the stairway thereon. If the stairway is to beoperated by hand the driving mechanism may be omitted; and in the casesof warehouse or factory installations, the rollers may be omitted. Ifthe automatic operation is to be installed, the lower end of thestairway is provided with a box or housing 20 in which is mounted thereversible electric induction motor 21 having starting leads S andrunning leads R and having a worm 22 upon its shaft.

The worm 22 meshes with a worm gear 22 supported on theupper end of avertical jack shaft 22 mounted in a bearing plate 22 secured to thehousing 20. The shaft 22 carries at its lower end a worm 23 meshing witha worm gear 23 which is rotatable on the shaft 17 being confined at oneside by a collar 23. On the opposite side of the worm gear 23 is locateda clutch member 24, also rotatable upon the shaft and slidable thereon.The clutch 24 is connected to the gear 23 by pins 24 projecting from theside of the worm gear and projecting into recesses in the side of theclutch member 24, the pins being of sufficient length to maintain properdriving connection between the clutch and the worm gear.

The clutch member is designed to engage a clutch 25 on one of therollers 16. The clutch is thrown into and out of engagement by a pivotedlever 27 mounted on a bracket 27 on. the side of the plate 22. The leveris moved to disengage the clutch by a spring 28, and is engaged by meansof weighted arms 29 on the motor shaft, which, when thrown outwardly bycentrifugal force, move a collar 30, against the face of which thelevers make contact. The movement of the collar rocks the lever 27 andengages the clutch. In this manner the motor will drive the rollers whenit has attained sufficient speed and will also disengage the rollerspromptly when current is shut off therefrom, thereby moving the stairwayto a definite position.

The motor drive may be controlled in a number of ways which will readilybe suggested to one familiar with the requirements. An arrangement forthis purpose is shown in Figure 19, in which represents single pole,double throw switches which close the motor circuit. The switches 35 maybe mounted at convenient points and connect by leads in conduits 35 Fiure 1 with a con trol box 36 located at a convenient point in theopening 5 which controls the direction of rotation of the motor. Theautomatic stopping and reversing of the motor is accomplished through apair of reversing switches in the control box which; are actuated by alever 38 through the agency of a rock shaft'37 and arm 37 which leverisad justably secured at to cradle or movable support for the stairway, sothat as the stairway approaches either limit of its movement, thecurrent is shut off from the motor. The two reversing switches areconnected together by a bar 36 cooperating with the arm37 mounted on therock shaft 37. (as seen diagrammatically in Figure 19) which is actuatedby the throwing of the lever 38. The operation of the stairway iseifected by closing either of the switches 35 while the motor circuit isopenedand reversed by the automatic throwing of the reversing switchesby the lever 38 as can be seen. from the diagram. One of the switches 35must then be operated to cause the stairway to move in the reversedirection whereupon the reversing switches will be again thrown to theirorig inal positions by the lever 38 to open and reverse the motorcircuit and put it in its original condition. This cycle can be repeatedas desired. a The stairway stringers 14' are'of the required length toextend to the upper floor level when moved outwardly to the positionshown in Figure 1. When in closed inoperative position, they projectthrough the opening 5into the room above. In order to permit the pivotaland longitudinal movements required, the stringers "are mounted inswinging supports or cradles, the con.- struction of which will now bedescribed.

To the face of the plate 6 are secured the stationary members of thehinges; The

movable members 46 of the hinges are fastened to the support for thestairway. This support is in the form of a framework comprising a crossbar 48 having a central depressed portion spanningthe stairway and withraised end portions 50 which are riveted to the underside of the hingemembers 46. Theframework includes a second cross. bar 52 spaced from thebar 48 and rigidly connected therewith by diagonal braces 53.'

The ends of the cross bar 52 are bent upwardly on either side of thestringers 14 and connecting this portion of the bar 52 with thecorresponding portionof the bar 48 are. guide bars 55 which are slidablein grooves or channels56 in theside faces of the stringers 14. By theconstruction which has 'just been described, the disappearing wallstairway is properly guided in its pivotal and sliding movement, and thestairway cannot twist, but will move in a straight line into and out ofposition. In order to limit the outward movement of the stairway, a stop58 is secured to each stringer near the upper end thereof which isadapted to engage a stop 59 on the hinge plate 46.

It is desirable to provide a hand rail for the stairway, which may beomitted in rougher installations. If the stairway is placed in the angleof a wall only a hand rail on the outer stringer is necessary. One handrail only is illustrated, but this element may be added on either orboth sides. It is also desirable that the hand rail fold against thestair stringer when in vertical or closed position and move outwardlyautomatically as the stairway is moved to inclined or open position. Themechanism for this purpose is shown in Figures 4 to 7' and 11. and 12.

The hand rail is indicated by the numeral 60 and its position when thestairway is open is shown "in Figure 1, the ends of the rail being inapproximately vertical alignment with the ends of the stringers 14. Inclosed position the hand rail is adjacent the string er, lying along theupper or outer edge of the stringer, being oii'set therefrom for thispurpose. The hand rail is attached to sub stantiallytriangular-shapeddouble brackets 62 near its upper end and to plates 63along its length. To the bracket'62 is pivoted an arm 64 reinforced withdouble side plates 64 the other end being pivoted at 65 to a spacer 66riveted to the upper end of the stringer 14; The plates 63 are pivotedto other arms 64, also pivoted at 65 to spacers 66 on the stringer. Theupper and lower arms 64 are provided with stop plates 72 which contactwith the underside of the hand rail when the stairway is closed. The

lowermost spacer 66 is provided with an angularly arranged stop 7 3 withwhich its arm 64 contacts when the rail is at its uppermost position.

In order to elevate the hand rail as the stairway moves outwardly toopen position, the link 7 5 is provided. This link consists of two parts76 and 77 which are permitted to slide upon one another by clips 78attached to each of said members and embracing the other member. Thelink part 7 6 is pivoted at its upper end to pin 7 9 connecting thebrackets 62. The link 7 7 is pivoted at its lower end upon a pin 80 inthe ends of 1 the cross bar 52. The link 76 is formed at its upper endwith a stop 82 which "limits the telescopic movement of the two links.The bracket 62 adjacent the link 77 is formed with an inturned lip orshort flange 8 1 and the link 7 7 with a projection85 which is adaptedto pass behind the flange 84 to hold the hand rail in its raisedposition, as will be explained.

I When the stairwa is closed or in vertical position, the hand rail liesalong the stringer and the links 76 and 77 are extended to theirgreatest length, the lower end of the coirpound link being secured tothe pivotal support and the upper end to the bracket on the hand rail.As the stairway moves outwardly by pivotal movement of. the support, italso moves longitudnally in the support, sliding on the guide bars 55.The telescopic links contract until the link 77 strikes the pin or stop82, up to which time there has been no outward movement of the handrail, none beingrequired until the stairway reaches its outermostposition.

As the stairway approaches its final open position, the link 75 being inthe position shown in Figure 7, the continued movement of the stairway,through the now rigid link, elevates the hand rail'to its outerposition. At the same time the pin passes behind the flange 84, lockingthe rail in position. It will thus be seen that the invention providesfor the automatic elevation of the hand rail as the stairway opens. Asthe stairway closes, the reversal of movement causes the collapse of thehand rail so t-hat'it occupies its final posit-ion automatically.

The invention also provides-for the automatic operation of a closure forthe opening 5 from the upper end of the recess 3 to the end plate 11.

In the form of the invention shown, this closure consists of a. two-partpanel and 91, the parts being iinged together at 92 so as to foldinvertical position at the farxend of the opening 5 when the stairway isopen and to expand and cover the opening when the stairway is closed.The panel 90 is provided with a plate 9 1 which is hinged at 95 at eachend of the panel to a flange provided on a. gear box 96 located in theangularrecess in the opening 5. The free end of the panel 91 is providedwith brackets 98 in which are journaled rollers 99 moving over rack bars100 which slide on the rails 10. The panel 90 is also provided with stopbrackets 10.1 which rest upon the rails when the panel is lowered orexpanded, the panel being then supported from sagging throughout itsextent. A handle 102 on the panel 90 provides means for raising thepanel from above and for operating the disappearing wall stairwaythereby.

The panel is folded and expanded by means connected with the stairway sothat the parts operate in unison.

To the extremities or". the cross bar 18 are pivoted links 105, theother ends ofthe links being pivoted to the slidingrack bars 100.Therack bars are angular incross section as topermitthe rollers 98 tomove over them. In order to prevent elevation of the rack bars by themovement of the link 105 on outward movement of the stairway, therollers 106 are provided on the ends of wings 8 of the plate 6, theserollers confining the rack bars during their travel.

The far ends of the rack bars 100 are provided with short racks 108which mesh with intermediate gears 109 supported by journal hearings inthe gear boxes 96 on eitherside of the openin These gears mesh withgears 110 also supported in like manner to which are rigidly fastenedarms 111. The arms are formed with lugs 112 which slide upon bars 114secured on angle brackets 113 on the panel 90.

The operation of the panel may be briefly summarized. When the. stairwaymoves outwardly, the rack bars and racks are moved to the left as shownin the drawings and the gears are rotated, which, through the arms 111,raise the panels 90 and 91 which fold together until they are in uprightposition. In their travel the panels are supported by the rollers movingover the upper surfaces of the rack bars which are, in turn, supportedby the rails 10. In moving to closed position, the reverse of thisaction takes place.

It will thus be seen that by the simple movement of the stairway fromvertical or closed position in the recess 3 to its outer position, theceiling opening is uncovered and the hand rail is elevated. Thesemovements may all be accomplished by the operation of the motor drivingmechanism for the stairway, although the manual operation of [the ladderwill perform the same actions.

In many cases, the door 4 may be operated by hand, but it is desirableto provide means for opening and closing the door by the operation ofthe stairway, and this additional automatic feature is applicable wherethe stairway is motor operated, provision being made to open and closethe door as the stairway moves out and in.

The details of the mechanism which have been provided for this purposeare shown in Figures 15 and 18 inclusive. It will be observed that theopening movement of the door is limited by'a stop and the door ismounted upon angular hinges 121 which engage with the stop to hold thedoor in its proper open position. The door is provided at its lowerinner corner with a plate 122 having an eye 123 formed thereon, withwhich is engaged one end of a link 124%, the other end being fastened ina swiveled pin 125. The pin 125 is swiveled upon the lower end of aswinging latch or dog 126, pivoted at its upper end to a bracket 127secured to the frame of the adjacent side wall of the recess 3. Theupper. end of the bracket 127 is provided with a flange 128.Intermediate cess.

the ends of the latch, it is given ah'orizontal bend 129. which offsetsthe lower end of the latch and between the bend and the flange 128 islocated a tension spring 130 which tends to move the latch upwardly ineither direction, the movement of the latch being limited by themovement of the door.- The lowermost end of the latch is provided with.a rigid finger 131 and with a movablefinger '132between which issituated the notch 133. The movable finger 132 is made from a shapedpiece of metal which is pivoted at 134 on a lug 135 onthe' lower endofthe latch, the arrangement being such that the finger 132 may rocktoward the left as shown in Figure 17, but will be prevented frommovement to the right by this lug. I

The lower end of the stringer 14 of the stairway is provided with a pin138, held in place by a reinforcing plate 140, the pin be ing adapted toengage in the notch 133 when the stairway is in the recess and for alimited period of its movement. 'When the stairway is in vertical oridleposition, the

latch is located in the dotted line position shown in Figure 16, the pin138 being to the right of the finger 131 and in the notch 133. As thestairway moves outwardly by the operation of the motor, it will moveunder thepivoted finger 132 into the notch and against the face of thefinger 131. This will move the latch outwardly, which, through the link124, will open the door to its full position, the momentumor, the forceof the spring 130 serving to clear the path of the pin. The full lineposition of the parts in Figure 16 showsthe bottom of the stairway movedout from the wall to a position where it has fully opened the door 'On ireturn movement, the pin passes beneath the finger 131 and into thenotch 133 and against the face of the finger, 132, which is now rigidagainstthe face of the lug 135, thereby closing the door. as thestairway enters the re-' The pivoted finger 132" only comes into playwhen the door has been opened by hand and is in its openv position whenthe stair is moved to its outwardposition. -At this time the pin 138will pass outwardly under and raise the finger 132, but upon the inwardmovement of the stair will engage positively with the finger to move thebracket to close the door. I y

It will be understood that the mechanism described for opening andclosing the door may be omitted and the door opened and closed by hand,the automatic operation of the door being a further refinement operatingin combination with the stairwaymoving mechanism and also operating intimed re- Provision is made.

lation with the closure. for the automatic operation of all of the partsof the complete mechanism, including the stairway, its hand rail,theceiling closure andthe door. It will be apparent that struc-.

turesequivalent to Stairways may be substituted for. the stairway shownand described and that the invention is of suflicientscope to reach suchmodifications. What is claimed is: 1. In a device of the classdescribed, a stairway, and a pivotal mounting for the stairway attheceiling, said stairway being a stairway longitudinally movable in thesupport from vertical to inclined position. 3. In a device-of the classdescribed, a ceiling having an opening therein, a pivoted support on.one end of the opening, a stairway longitudinally movable in the supportfrom vertical to inclined position, and a movable closure for saidopening.

4.'In a device of the class described,1a ceiling having an openingtherein, a pivoted support on one end of the opening, a stairwaylongitudinally movable in the support from vertical to inclinedposition, a movable closure for said opening, and means for movingsaidclosure in unison'with the movement of the support.

5. In a building having upper and lower floors with an opening between,a stairway having its lower end movable over the lower floor, and apivoted support at one edge ofthe opening on the upper floor in whichthestairway is slidably mounted, said opening providing a passageaway atthe head of the stairway.

6. In a building having upper and lower floors with an opening between,a stairway havingits lower end movableover the lower floor, a pivotedsupport at one edge of the opening on the upper floor in which thestairway is slidably mounted, said opening providing a passageway atthehead of the stairway, and a closure for said passageway,

said closure being movable in unison with the movement of the stairway.

7. In a building having upper and lower. floors with an opening-between,a stairway having its lowerend movable over the lower floor, a pivotedsupport at one edge of the opening on the upper floor in which i thestairway is slidably mounted," said opening providing apassageway at thehead of the stairway, and a closure for said passageway,

said closure comprising a folding panel and means to fold said panel toexpose the passageway as the stairway moves across the lower floor. 1 A

8. In a building having upper and lower floors with an opening between,a stairway having its lower end movable over the lower floor, a pivotedsupport at one edge of the opening on the upper floor in which thestairway is slidably mounted, said opening providing a passageway at thehead of the stairway, and a closure for said passageway, said closurecomprising a folding panel and means to fold said panel to expose thepassagewayQ 9. A device of the class described, comprising a'singlerigid stairway unitmovable from vertical inoperative position toinclined operative position, a hand rail on the stairway, said hand railbeing movable from a position adjacent the stairway to a position abovethe stairway when the latter is in inclined position, and meansconnected to the hand rail and operable by movement of the stairwaybetween its positions to move said hand rail between its positions.

10. A device of the class described, comprising a single, rigid stairwayunit movable from vertical inoperative posit-ion to inclined operativeposition, and a hand rail on the stairway, said hand rail being movableby the operation of the stairway from a position adjacent the stairwayto aposition above the stairway as the latter is moved to inclinedposition.

11. A device of the class described, comprising a single, rigid stairwayunit movable from vertical inoperative position to inclined operativeposition, a hand rail on the stairway, said hand rail being movable froma position adjacent the stairway to a position above the stairway as thelatter is moved to inclined position, and means to lock the hand rail inits elevated position.

12. A device of the class described, comprising a single, rigid stairwayunit movable from vertical inoperative position to inclined operativeposition, a hand rail on the stairway, said hand rail being movable bythe operation of the stairway from a position adjacent the stairway to aposition above the stairway as the latter is moved to inclined position,and means to lock the hand rail in its elevated position.

13. A device of the class described, comprising a single, rigid stairwayunitmovable from vertical inoperative position to in clined operativeposition, a hand rail on the stairway, said hand rail being movable froma position adjacent the stairway to a position above'the stairway as thelatter is moved to inclined position, and a panel above the stairwaymovable away from the head of the stairway in unison with the movementsof the stairway and the hand rail.

14. In a device of the class described, a single, rigid stairway unitmovable from vertical position to inclined position, a hand rail on thestairway movable from a posi tion adjacent the stairway to a position rmmm above the stairway, a closure at the head of the stairway, andconnections between the stairway, the closure and the hand rail to moveall of said parts in unison.

15. In a device of the class described, a stairway movable from verticalposition to inclined position, said stairway being received in a recessin the adjacent wall, a door for the recess, means for moving thestairway, and apparatus adapted to be engaged and actuated duringinitial movement of the stairway from the recess for automaticallyopening the door upon outward movement of the stairway from the recess.

16. In a device oi? the class described, a stairway movable fromvertical position to inclined position, said stairway being received ina recess in the adjacent wall, a door for the recess, means for movingthe stairway, and apparatus operable by movement of the stairway forautomatically opening the door upon outward movement of the stairwayfrom the recess and closing the door upon inward movement of thestairway.

17. In a device of the character described, a wall having a recesstherein, a stairway receivable in the recess when in vertical position,a door for the recess, a ceiling having an opening in communication withthe recess to provide a passageway along the stairway, a closure forsaid opening, means for moving the stairway to inclined position,

and connecting means operable by movement of the stairway for moving theclosure away from the opening and opening the door in unison with themovement of the stairway.

18. In adevice-of the character described, a wall having a recesstherein, a stairway receivable in the recess when in vertical position,a door for the recess, a ceiling having an opening in communication withthe recess to provide a passageway along the stairway, a closure forsaid opening, means for movingthe stairway to inclined position, andconnecting means for moving the closure away from the opening andopening the door in unison with the movement of the stairway, said meansalso moving the closure over the opening and closing the door uponreverse movement of the stairway.

19. A disappearing stairway movable in cooperation with a ceilingopening between lower and upper floors of a building between a verticalor retracted position and an inclined position for use, reversible powermeans for operating the stairway b tween said positions, and meanscontrolled by movement of the stairway into its respective positions forstopping the power means and setting it to reverse.

20. A disappearing stairway movable in cooperation with a ceilingopening between lower and upper floors of a building and with a wallbetween said floors between a vertical or retracted position adjacentthe wall and an inclined position for use, reversible power means foroperating the stairway between said positions, and means controlled bymovement of the stairway into its respective positions for stopping thepower means and setting it to reverse.

21. A disappearing stairway movable in cooperation with a ceilingopening between lower and upper floors of a building and with a wallbetween said floors between a vertical or retracted position adjacentthe wall and an inclined position for use, a motor for operating thestairway between said positions, and means controlled by movement of thestairway into its respective positions for stopping the motor andsetting it to reverse.

22. A disappearing stairway for cooperating with a ceiling openingbetween lower and upper floors of a building, said stairway beingmovable between a retracted position when not in use and an extendedposition when it is to be used, reversible power means for operating thestairway between said positions, and means controlled by movement of thestairway into the respective positions for stopping the power means andsetting it to reverse. g

23. In a device of the class described, a

stairway, the lower end of which is supported upon and movable over afloor, a pivotal mounting for the upper end of the stairway at an edgeof a ceiling opening and on which the stairway is slidable, a motor onthe stairway, and means driven by the motor to propel the stairway overthe floor.

24. In a device of the class described, a stairway, the lower end ofwhich is sup-- ported upon and movable over a floor, a pivotal supportmounted at an edge of a stairway, means driven by the motor to propelthe stairway over the floor, means for controlling the motor by movementof the stairway, and a movable closure at the head of the stairwayconnected thereto and operable in unison therewith.

FRANK E. BESSLER.

ceiling opening in which the upper end of i the stairway is slidablymounted, a motor on the stairway, means driven by the motor to propelthe stairway over the floor, and

means for controlling ment of the stairway.

25. In a device of the class described, a stairway, the lower end ofwhich is supported upon and movable over a floor, a pivotal mounting forthe upper end of the the motor by movestairway at an edge of a ceilingopening on which the stairway is slidable, a motor on the stairway,means driven by the motor to propel the stairway over the floor, and amovable closure at the head of the stairway connected thereto andoperable in unison therewith.

26. In a device of the class described, a stairway, the lower end ofwhich is supported upon and movable over a floor, a pivotal mounting atone end of a ceiling opening in which the upper end of the stairway isslidably mounted, a motor on the

